The Annex

Chapter 30

Sometime in the night, I had woken the Commander to take over the watch. I had tried to last as long as I could, not being able to bear disturbing his peace, but fatigue had won out. When morning had broken, I had found the Commander back to his closed off self. It made me wonder if I had dreamed all of last night. But the furrow in his brow was less pronounced today and when I had cracked a joke earlier, I had caught the Commander smiling. I was certain if I confronted him about it, he would deny it. I had watered the horses this morning as the Commander deciphered the map and figured out the directions.

"Val is a beautiful horse," I said as I stroked his muzzle.

"He's led several battle charges with me," the Commander said.

"Oh so you're a brave hero too, aren't you," I kissed his muzzle as he nuzzled my neck affectionately. "I think you do really like me don't you." I chuckled as Val tasted my hair.

"Traitor," the Commander scoffed. "Come here, Val." He gestured for Val to come to him but Val stayed put. "Come here." The Commander's voice grew more stern. Val let out a soft whinny in protest and stayed put. I laughed again and pumped my arm.

"Victory," I cried as the Commander gave Val a cross look as he mounted the other horse.

"Let's go," he kicked the horse into movement and Val followed as soon as I mounted. The morning air was still chilly and I tucked my cloak a little tighter. We were only about a day's ride from the nearest Rivellian village of Evert. The Commander had promised me a piping hot meal at the tavern and I was greatly looking forward to real food.

As the sun rose in the sky, the temperature had risen as well. It was too hot for the cloak and I was beginning to sweat. When I spotted a waterfall with a small pool below. I urged Val toward it. Without another thought, I leapt off of Val and dove into the water.

"What are you doing," the Commander called out as he came to the edge of the pool.

"Cooling down," I grinned as I swam to the edge. "Help me out?" I raised an arm towards him. He reached down to take my hand and a flash of alarm crossed his face as I grinned. I braced my feet against the rock and pulled him in.

"Hey," he growled as he resurfaced and I laughed.

"You're so hot tempered I thought you might need some help cooling down."

A smirk took its place on his lips as he lunged forward for me. I let out a scream as I tried to swim away. He was faster and stronger and I was suddenly encased in his arms. He stood up and launched me farther into the pool underneath the waterfall as I screeched.

"Truce, truce! Please," I cried out as I saw him swimming after me. I threw up my hands as he splashed water at me. I held out my hand to shake. He took it and I swung myself on top of his shoulders trying to force him under the water.

"Oh you're done for," he grinned and my heart nearly stopped. The brilliance of his smile and his carefreeness melted my soul. I stopped to admire the broadness of his shoulders and in that moment of hesitation, he had closed the distance between us.

He grabbed my waist and we were both abruptly aware of our proximity. The rocky bottom of the pool was too deep. I depended entirely on his arms wrapped around me and my own resting on his shoulders to stay afloat. He pulled me closer to him as he pressed his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes and relished the feeling of his body flush against my own. I never wanted him to let go but the moment didn't last. He pulled away releasing his hands from my waist before his usual expression returned and swam to shore. I slowly submerged myself in the water, willing the water to cool my flushed cheeks. I was mortified. When I felt sufficiently cooled down, I swam back to shore. The Commander had found a rocky outcrop and had laid down in the sun to dry off. He had hung his shirt to dry on a nearby tree. I found my own rocky outcrop on the other side of the waterfall as I laid in the sun, soaking in the warmth. I pushed recent events to the back of my mind, trying to pretend it never happened. I groaned softly and covered my face with my hands.